The application for BSA Lifeguard can be downloaded from BSA's web site by
clicking here.

AGE REQUIREMENT
To enroll in the BSA Lifeguard course you must be at least 14 years of age
or have completed the eighth grade.

PREREQUISITES
To enroll in the BSA Lifeguard course, you must

Swim 400 yards. Jump feetfirst into water over your head and swim
continuously for 400 yards in a strong manner. The 400 yards shall consist
of a minimum of 50 yards of elementary backstroke; 50 yards of breaststroke;
50 yards of front crawl or trudgen; and 50 yards of sidestroke.

Surface dive. Perform both a feet-first and a head-first (tuck or
pike) surface dive in 8 to 10 feet of water and recover a 10-pound weight
on each dive.

Float. Demonstrate the ability to rest by floating.

Dive. Perform a long, shallow dive.

AQUATIC SKILLS
Perform each of the following aquatics skills:

Perform a long, shallow dive into deep water and swim an approach
stroke 25 yards in 20 seconds or less.

Throw a line for accuracy 10 yards, three times in one minute. The
line may be weighted, unweighted, or attached to a ring buoy.

Perform a rescue of a swimmer using a watercraft common to your
area. Explain how other watercraft can be used to perform a rescue.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of different craft in making
rescues.

Perform each of the following rescues with the aid of a rescue tube:

Perform a swimming extension rescue. Using a front approach,
swim with the rescue tube 15 yards to a distressed swimmer; extend
the rescue tube to the victim; have the victim grasp it; and tow
the victim back to the starting point in the water.

Perform an active drowning victim rear rescue. Using a rear
approach, swim with the rescue tube 15 yards to a conscious/active
but not struggling victim; Place the victim on the tube by using
a "scooping technique and tow the victim back to the starting point.

Perform an passive drowning victim rear rescue. Using a rear
approach, swim with the rescue tube 15 yards to face down victim;
squeeze the rescue tube between your chest and the victim's back,
role the victim face up and tow the victim back to the starting
point in the water.

Perform an passive drowning victim front rescue. Approach a
face-down, unconscious victim from the front; Reaching across the
rescue tube, grasp the victim's wrist and rotate the victim into
the rescue tube. Clamp the victim to the tube with your other arm
and tow the victim back to the starting point.

Perform a submerged victim rescue. Approach until you are over
the victim and do a feet-first surface dive. Using the rescue tube
between your chest and the victim's back, move the victim to the
starting point.

Perform a swimming rescue of a distressed or active victim using
a flotation aid other than a rescue tube. Demonstrate an appropriate
entry and approach stroke for 15 yards and the tow the victim
to the starting point.

Perform a stride jump into water at least 9 feet deep; swim 15 yards
to an unconscious victim; use a front surface approach; position the
victim for a wrist tow; and use a wrist tow to return the victim to
the starting point in the water.

Perform a long shallow dive into water at least 9 feet deep; swim
15 yards to beyond the victim; position the victim in either a single-
or double-armpit tow; and tow the victim to the starting point in the
water.

Perform a compact jump into water at least 9 feet deep; using a
rear approach swim 15 yards to an active victim; contact the victim
and level the victim using a single- or double-armpit tow; position
the victim in a cross-chest carry; and return to the starting point
in the water.

Perform the following defenses and escapes:

Wrist-grip escape

Rear head-hold escape

Front head-hold escape

Remove the victim from the water using each of the following techniques,
in the appropriate circumstances:

Lift from the water using a backboard and two lifeguards

Walking assist

Beach drag

Perform an ease-in entry in shallow water and approach a victim
who is facedown on the surface and simulating a spinal injury. Turn
the victim to a faceup position and support the victim at the surface.

Perform an ease-in entry in deep water and approach a victim who
is floating facedown on the surface and simulating a spinal injury.
With a rescue tube, turn the victim to a faceup position and, maintaining
contact, swim with the victim to a corner of the pool or the shallow
end of the pool. Repeat without a rescue tube.

As a team member, participate in a back-boarding procedure in shallow
water.

Demonstrate the proper use of mask, snorkel, and fins.

FIRST AID AND CPR

Show evidence of the ability to perform the skills and a knowledge
of basic first aid.

Show a knowledge of the procedures for the universal precautions
for bloodborne pathogens.

Hold current certification in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) from the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or
the National Safety Council.

EXAMINATION

Demonstrate an understanding of aquatics program and emergency management
skills by correctly answering 80 percent of the questions in a written
or oral exam on theory and knowledge (standard BSA Lifeguard examination).

SUPERVISED LIFEGUARDING
Serve as a lifeguard, under supervision, for at least two swimming activities
(2 to 3 hours total).

BSA LIFEGUARD TRAINING PROCEDURE

Only those persons currently certified as BSA Aquatics Instructor
or as BSA Lifeguard Counselor may train the completion of BSA Lifeguard
requirements

Training as BSA Lifeguard is valid for 3 years from the date
of application.

All requirements must be met - no substitutions or omissions are permitted.

The completed application is sent to the local council service center
where BSA Lifeguard emblems may be purchased.

To qualify for BSA Lifeguard, the candidate must complete the BSA Lifeguard
course consisting of a minimum of 30 hours under the direction of either
a BSA Lifeguard Counselor or a BSA Aquatics Instructor. The course for the
BSA Lifeguard is in the BSA Lifeguard Counselor Guide.

BSA LIFEGUARD RETRAINING

To be retrained as BSA Lifeguard, a person who previously has been trained
can complete the regular BSA Lifeguard course, passing each of the requirements.
Those whose BSA Lifeguard training is current or has expired within the past
12 months can be retrained by demonstrating a current knowledge of and ability
to perform the skills necessary to fulfill BSA Lifeguard requirements. It is
not necessary to retake the BSA Lifeguard course.

In addition to the Patch shown at the
top of this page, a wallet card ( No. 34260) shown below, is available.

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